PINE GROVE - Early Sunday there were more than 20 boats on Sweet Arrow Lake and dozens of families were perched along the shore, with fishing rods and coffees in hand.

Among them was Robert Wagner, Tower City, who reeled in a carp which weighed 13.88 pounds.

"That was the heaviest carp caught Sunday. He won $50," said Craig R. Morgan, chairman of the Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Advisory Board, who ran the event.

It was the first Family Fun Fishing Event at the county park, located in Pine Grove and Washington Township just off Route 443. And judging by the turnout, Morgan said it could become a tradition.

"We had more than 1,000 people. When were started the planning, we were thinking we'd have 300. Then 747 pre-registered," Morgan said.

"We wanted to utilize fishing and other outdoor activities to establish a lasting outdoor family-fun bonding experience in addition to creating a greater awareness of Sweet Arrow Lake County Park and all its amenities. I would hope this could become an annual event. I think it could, as long as the sponsors and volunteers keep coming forward," Morgan said.

The event offered prizes to participants.

For instance, there were $50 prizes for the two heaviest carp. Austin Swinehart, Hegins, caught the other, which came in at 6.54 pounds, Morgan said.

"I caught it around 9:30 in the morning. And they paid me cash, which was nice. It was a very good event. It's nice seeing the kids and families out there. And it was nice day," said Swinehart, 22.

There were 50 tagged fish.

"Tagged fish caught after May 5 can still be redeemed by registrant with a deadline of June 1," Morgan said.

"It was really good. Just seeing everybody out fishing, both younger kids and older people. Everybody was just having a good time," Keating, 35, said.

The people who registered before 2 p.m. Sunday can return to the lake to try to catch the remaining 49 tagged fish before June 1. There's an estimated $3,000 in prizes attached to those tags, Morgan said.

"Again, you had to be registered as of 2 p.m. Sunday to be eligible for those prizes," Morgan said.

Others who catch the fish can keep the fish but aren't eligible for the prizes, Morgan said.

At 8 a.m., organizers stocked the lake with more than 2,000 trout. In addition, Morgan estimated 100 "lunkers" measuring 18 inches or more were dropped into the water.

The registration fee prior to April 27 was $10 per person or $20 per family. That included a "$5 individual" and "$10 family" food voucher, Morgan said.

On Sunday, the registration fee increased to $15 per person and $30 per family.

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